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Bobby Kennedy Jr wins possession of suicide wife’s remains after nasty feud in court

Mary Richardson Kennedy’s family incensed over how their sister was treated by Kennedy

By
JAMES O'SHEA,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Saturday, May 19, 2012, 7:18 AM
Updated Saturday, May 19, 2012, 7:23 AM

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mary Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mary Kennedy
Photo by Getty


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An ugly court fight between the Kennedy family and the Richardson clan over possession of the body of Robert Kennedy Jr’s wife was resolved in favor of the Kennedys on Friday night.

Mary Richardson Kennedy committed suicide by hanging herself in the couple’s Mount Kisco home after bitter divorce proceedings and a severe bout of depression.

Kennedy as next-of-kin wanted her waked in a nearby Kennedy residence and then buried in the Kennedy family plot in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

The Richardson family tried to block Kennedy taking possession of the body by means of a court order. An eleventh hour verdict from a Westchester County judge found in favor of Bobby Kennedy, who then took his wife’s remains and held a wake in the house where she died.

The legal battle was waged all day as Mary Kennedy’s body was in the possesion of the coroner after a post mortem that showed she died from hanging.

“The body has now been picked up,” Donna Greene, a spokeswoman for Westchester County, stated just before the wake, according to the NY Daily News.

“The medical examiner had completed the autopsy yesterday, but a court proceeding was brought by the brother of Mary Richardson as to who would have possession of the body and where the body would go.”

Tom Richardson, her brother, was  outraged at the way she had been treated in the divorce by Bobby and asked the judge to not grant custody to the Kennedy clan.

The Richardson family believe that she was driven to her death by Kennedy’s hardball tactics and repeated use of court maneuveres to win sole custody of their four children.

Richardson family members were still vowing to hold their own family service at the weekend and not attend the Kennedy one.

​
Nster.com
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35 Comments

15 - 35 | See all comments

arialgirl | May 21, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT
I'll hold off on bashing RFK Jr - even though he is a dirtbag, But as a resident of Westchester County - the highest taxed county in the US - I want to know why the County Executive's office is involved, Who gives a rat's tuckus what Donna Green, spokesperson for Little King Robbie As$torino, has to say. Shut up Rob and try not to destroy the county you're being paid to run. And BTW, sucking up to Cardinal Dolan won't buy your corrupt heartless soul into heaven.

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hunter933 | May 21, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT
When RFK JR made a 40 minute visit to the house where Mary was found hanged, it was probably to take the suicide note and destroy it. What no note? Yeah right.

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christilcaugh | May 20, 2012, 09:26 PM EDT
Sadly, the Kennedy's are a law unto themselves in that part of our country.

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phinsman | May 20, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT
It makes no sense to me the the Kennedy's would get access to Mary Kennedy's remains. He treated her so disrespectfully during their divorce. My heart goes out to the Richardson family.

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sharoneileen | May 20, 2012, 12:09 AM EDT
I am always saddened by the amount of Kennedy bashing that goes on when a scandal breaks. First of all we don't know the "naked truth" about any of this. I am sure that Robert loves his children and was doing what would most benefit them. No one knows the darkening depths of mental illness, and yes, if you commit suicide you are considered to be mentally ill. We still do not understand the role of depression and alcoholism, which comes first the drinking or the depression? Whenever men of power come under scrutiny there may be a host of things we don't, with our Puriatnical views, approve of. Here is a time honored statement I don't know where it originated: Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. May have been Winston Churchill.I feel bad for any and all of the affected family members and friends. My heart and prayers go out to them.

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aloistmartin | May 19, 2012, 09:46 PM EDT
Lord God Almighty ! The Kennedy`s couldn`t BUY a Scandal Free Marriage !

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borefield | May 19, 2012, 08:46 PM EDT
Pilib04, I seriously doubt Mary R.I.P. got the burial she would have wanted. Yes, the children should be the main consideration however, don't use the children to shield the Kennedy arrogance. He is cunning enough to have foreseen that most people would be on the side of doing what in the public eye was best for the children thus, giving him a pass! What cowards these Kennedy men are.

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pilib04 | May 19, 2012, 07:31 PM EDT
Boy, you people sure like to kick folks while their down. Of course the views of the children was considered by the court. The children got the funeral they desired. So did Mary. The only one's not happy are the Kennedy-haters. Tough.

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ciarrai | May 19, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT
I once met Robert Kennedy and I was impressed by what a powerhouse of energy and smarts he is. However, what is it with the Kennedy men and philandering? JFK was well known for this. The recent book by the woman who was an intern back in his presidency tells about some sleazy activities by him and others on his staff. Now there is the story that the recently deceased Mary Kennedy was concerned that her husband may have had extracurricular activities during their married days. What gives? What about trueblue, fidelity and honor? Cheaters suck, don't they?

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Woodman | May 19, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT
Well Kennedy clearly won those divorce proceeding. Good family man that he is. Why not have her stuffed and put on display like a winning trophy?

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alisaann | May 19, 2012, 04:56 PM EDT
@ CarriageHorse: they had children together, that TIES them for LIFE....weither or NOT they divorce. alisa

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alisaann | May 19, 2012, 04:52 PM EDT
i'm guessing that she never changed her "next-of-kin" on things, and that's why he was called and granted custody of her body.....i DON'T believe that kennedy pushed her to become an addict...it was in her "make-up". alisa

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divadqwn | May 19, 2012, 04:50 PM EDT
Well now I know why she died. Her enabeling family. Fighting over her body? Are they serious? No one can make an addict quit unless SHE wants to and SHE drank because she was trying to hold onto her marriage that was a done deal. Her husband was not going to allow her to drag him down with her. Deal with you enabeling guilts stop blaming the husband and get over it. Addicts quit or they die. Accept it and move on.

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Murph46 | May 19, 2012, 04:27 PM EDT
Cut him some slack-We ain't the ones fighting over possession of a corpse!

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McNamara31 | May 19, 2012, 03:12 PM EDT
Here we go again (some) Irish, bashing Irish. My sympathies go out to both families and the four children left behind without a mother. Both parents had problems with addictions in their past and lets be fair here, Robert Kennedy Jr (who never really had to work for money) went on to do countless positive acts in behalf of the environment and also for autistic children. In 2010 Kennedy was named one of Time’s "Heroes for the Planet" for his success in helping Riverkeeper to restore the Hudson River. So let’s cut him some slack especially at this terrible time.

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